Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.

The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.

One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.

"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]

The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.

PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.

"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;

"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]

Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.

Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.

The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.

"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.

"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]

Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.

Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7395]

Joel Robinson

Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.

The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]

“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.

The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.

“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=371430]

Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.

Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.

The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.

LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.

Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

A local downsizer has splashed $6.5 million on a penthouse in Perifa's Alex &amp; Willow development in Crows Nest. 
&nbsp; 
The purchaser sold their long-held family home in the area before embarking on a six-month search for the right apartment. After inspecting a range of options across the Lower North Shore, the buyer returned to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/alex-willow-crows-nest-82-90-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Alex &amp; Willow</a>. 
&nbsp; 
The buyer profile reflects the project’s broader purchaser mix. <a>Alex &amp; Willow</a> has attracted predominantly local downsizers looking to transition from larger homes without compromising on space or quality, alongside a smaller cohort of upsizers and investors drawn to the project’s location and design credentials. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone sale comes as the project, developed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">Perifa</a>&nbsp;and delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile-made-construction">Versatile Construction</a>, both part of Versatile Group, reaches 60 per cent sold.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=371325] 
&nbsp; 
Eddie Mansour, Managing Partner of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/ray-white-projects">Ray White Projects</a>, said the result demonstrates not only a headline price but also depth of demand. 
&nbsp; 
“This is an exceptional outcome and a clear reflection of sustained buyer demand for premium, well-located downsizer product,” Mansour said.

“We’re seeing a consistent pattern of local homeowners selling family residences and reinvesting into high-quality apartments that allow them to remain within their community. Alex &amp; Willow has resonated strongly with this group because it offers genuine scale, thoughtful design and immediate proximity to the village.” 
&nbsp; 
The sale reflects a broader and consistent trend of local downsizers actively seeking high-quality, low-maintenance residences close to established village centres. Agents report that demand for this product type has remained resilient, particularly where developments offer a rare combination of scale, design quality and walkable amenity. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Fabrizio Perilli, Managing Director of Perifa and Versatile Group, said the sale marks a defining moment for the project. 
&nbsp; 
“The penthouse sale is a strong endorsement of the quality we have delivered, alongside our partners, and the clear demand from local downsizers for premium, boutique residences in this location,” Perilli said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
“Most importantly, we’re proud to see the Alex &amp; Willow community beginning to take shape. As we move closer to completion, we’re looking forward to welcoming residents and seeing the project come to life.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=338516] 
&nbsp; 
Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/nettletontribe">Nettleton Tribe</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>, Alex &amp; Willow is a boutique collection of generously sized two- and three-bedroom residences in the heart of Crows Nest village.&nbsp;

Completion is slated for early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6680]

Alex & Willow, Crows Nest penthouse sells off the plan for $6.5 million

Fresh from launching the first stage of its Wollongong precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-wollongong-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place</a>, builder-developer Urban Property Group has unveiled plans for the next phase of the masterplanned community.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway is a State Significant Development Application for a further 657 homes on the prominent gateway site opposite Beaton Park.

The proposal comprises three buildings, including two build-to-sell towers rising 25 and 30 storeys, delivering 391 apartments, alongside a 12-storey co-living building with 266 residences, making it one of the largest co-living proposals currently planned in regional New South Wales.

Of the apartments proposed in the build-to-sell towers, the majority, 310, are two-bedroom dwellings. The balance comprises 44 one-bedroom apartments and 37 three-bedroom residences. Apartment sizes range from around 50 sqm for one-bedroom homes to approximately 90 sqm for three-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19347059-1612-41a0-9c74-b86a657237f8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%2010.02.18%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sWXnaCcA.cIC6N8YT1dg5pJ2e1V3Z6z7" />

The submission says the proposal has evolved significantly from its original Housing Delivery Authority application following extensive consultation with the State Design Review Panel and Wollongong City Council.

The final scheme has been designed to align with the emerging vision for the Flinders Street Precinct, an area identified by Council as a future high-density mixed-use neighbourhood capable of accommodating substantial housing growth close to transport, employment and community infrastructure.

According to the design report prepared by COX Architecture, the development aims to "deliver a built outcome consistent with the future character of the Wollongong CBD while responding to the site's unique constraints and opportunities."

"Our vision for the next phase of the site evolution in Wollongong is grounded in three design pillars that guide the design response: place, natural environment and celebration," COX said.

"Inspired by its surroundings and grounded in the stories of place on Wodi Wodi Country, the design proposal acknowledges the established character of its setting while creating a unique and timeless identity that sits harmoniously within it.

"The design proposal responds to its specific site conditions, acknowledging the vegetation, climate, wind conditions and solar access of the site."

The architecture responds directly to the site's position between Wollongong's urban core and its natural landscape setting.

COX identified views towards Mount Keira and the Illawarra Escarpment as defining features of the site, while the upper levels of the towers will also capture expansive views across the city and out to the Pacific Ocean.

The design team has positioned the tallest buildings closer to the rail corridor, where overshadowing impacts can be better managed while establishing a landmark built form on the northern approach into the city.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79580d5b-500c-4ebf-9629-797146a4a694" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%209.51.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WbTB1EKSG.KDfsfz0F3wp1QVa2oCMGR5" />

Urban Property Group secured the 11,000 sqm Smith Street site in 2022 and has since progressed plans for the broader Keira Place precinct.

Construction recently commenced on the first stage of Keira Place, which will deliver 150 apartments across two residential buildings, including 27 affordable housing apartments and 18 specialist disability accommodation dwellings, alongside activated ground-floor retail and commercial space.

Urban Co-CEO Patrick Elias said the commencement of construction marked a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the developer's long-term commitment to regional cities.

"Today's groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong's city centre," Elias said.

"Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection."

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/groundbreaking-marks-start-of-construction-at-keira-place-in-wollongong-cbd">Groundbreaking marks start of construction at Keira Place in Wollongong CBD</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Urban Property Group unveils trio of towers for next stage of new Wollongong precinct, Keira Place

Property market

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Come this weekend, Sydney's North Shore suburb of Killara will see the opening of a residential project launch called Octavia by Roxy Pacific Killara.
Octavia is located at 6A-8 Buckingham Road, and on completion will have 43 dwellings in combinations of one, two and three bedroom apartments in two buildings.
The development is a short walk to Killara Train Station and local amenities and close to shopping destinations of Gordon, Chatswood and Macquarie Centre.
The buildings are in Killara High School catchment and close to private schools.
The display is open on Saturday and Sunday 2pm - 4pm.
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Residential project Octavia in Sydney's Killara set for launch

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Ballarat, Victoria’s largest inland city, figures in various positions from rising market to starting to decline in the HTW property clocks for February and March, and like the rest of the Australian economy, the residential market there will not be without its challenges in 2016.
Valuation firm Herron Todd White’s property clock is a simple broad brush means to suggest where property markets are as at February 2016 and what direction prices are moving in.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/03/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-15%20at%209.42.52%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/03/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-15%20at%209.42.52%20AM.png" alt="">
Macro economic factors such as the success of Australia’s transition from a resource driven to a service-driven economy, the mood of the various regulatory bodies and the ability of the elected elite to remain united behind one leader will play a major hand in its fortune, says the report.
Locally, the direction and pace with which the market door will swing will depend on the continued state governmental inclination to decentralise Victoria, in addition to the continued popularity and population growth of the area and the local economy’s success. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/03/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-15%20at%209.43.05%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/03/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-15%20at%209.43.05%20AM.png" alt="">
The good news for the area is that none of these drivers appear at present poised to pull the plug on the place. 
The bad news is, nor do they elicit an inclination to provide us with a path to the promised land, says HTW.
“And so the great unwashed are left to wake up, frock up and front up. The fundamentals of the residential market are sound if not strong, yet only the most bullish would foretell a 2016 Ballarat boom. So how will it play out? 
“The year will play out as tug of war between positive local sentiment and what will be on balance, at best, a macro economic climate,” says HTW. 
As usual, the property with the greatest chance to grow will be that with limited supply close to the CBD such as Ballarat Central, Lake Wendouree, Soldiers Hill, Black Hill and Golden Point. Areas with significant challenges will be those with oversupply issues such as the new estates in Delacombe and Lucas.
The strong history of Ballarat provides a sought after niche with period housing, particularly Victorian dwellings circa 1900. Areas likely to prosper from this niche market are Golden Point, Black Hill and Ballarat East. Period homes in these areas provide a stable investment outlook with driving factors that include affordability and proximity to the CBD, transport and sporting facilities as well as limited supply compared to the new estates on the city fringes with modern housing facing no limit in supply. These suburbs provide an inexpensive option for good quality period homes, close to the city centre and ripe for gentrification. Well-renovated period homes fetch a premium within the Ballarat residential market.
There is strong evidence of gentrification in Soldiers Hill with property quality and prices continually improving. With good quality renovations and the location of these suburbs, rising property values are likely in the future.
On the outer edges of Ballarat, Buninyong presents an opportunity with good local facilities and close proximity to Ballarat. Buninyong provides heritage properties with a rural township atmosphere and is becoming a sought after location because of these factors. 
At present, Ballarat has seen little development of reclaimed spaces, such as factory conversions, due to a limited demand for apartment living in regional areas. It is unlikely the apartment market in conversions of this type would have high demand in the foreseeable future, however, smaller scale buildings such as churches provide more of a lower density lifestyle choice for Ballarat.
The median price for houses in Ballarat at the end of 2015 was $308,750, according to CoreLogic RP Data. There was not data for units in the city.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2016/03/15/ballarat2.jpg" alt=""> 
As an example of properties sold around the median, a four-bedroom house at <a href="https://realestateview.com.au/real-estate/8-leroy-street-ballarat-vic/property-details-sold-residential-8743834" target="_blank">8 Leroy Street</a> (above) was sold for $335,000 in Ballarat, as per realestateview.com.au. 
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Ballarat's tug of war between local positive sentiment and macro-climate: HTW

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Residential property values in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide increased this week to the last, according to CoreLogic RP Data, who found values stayed flat in Brisbane and increased 0.1 percent in Perth.
Melbourne property has had a year to date change so far of 3.7 percent.
<a href="/images/2016/03/14/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-14%20at%201.45.52%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/14/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-14%20at%201.45.52%20PM.png" alt="">
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Residential property values in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide: CoreLogic RP Data

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A recent survey of around 321,000 first time buyer households has found the biggest barriers to buying are high house prices (52 percent) and finding the right property (24 percent).
The latest report by consulting firm Digital Finance Analytics, The Property Imperative 6, featured results from the March 2016 DFA Household Survey and  noted 60 percent of households will need to borrow more than they can currently obtain to transact, whilst 62 percent of households will consider using a mortgage broker to assist with the finance arrangements. 
<a href="/images/2016/03/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-11%20at%202.18.04%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 
<img src="/images/2016/03/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-11%20at%202.18.04%20PM.png" alt="">
The survey found more first time buyers in Sydney are considering or have bought a unit, with the preference for a house dropping in Melbourne and Brisbane.
DFA founder Martin North said the traditional wisdom is that first time buyers are sitting out of the property markets, because prices are high, loans harder to get, and confidence is falling. 
"However, one of the most significant developments surrounding first time buyers is that many more are now going direct to the investment sector," he said.
"The number of first time buyers are still sitting at around 13,000 a month in total, still well below the peaks in 2009. Our surveys indicate strong FTB investor appetite. The changed underwriting requirements however are having an impact. 
<a href="/images/2016/03/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-11%20at%202.16.50%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-11%20at%202.16.50%20PM.png" alt="">
 "There are a number of drivers to this trend. First, most first time buyers were unable to afford to purchase a property to occupy, in an area that made sense to them and were being priced out of the market. 
"Next, many were anxious they were missing out on recent property gains, so decided to buy a less expensive property (often a unit) as an investment, thanks to negative gearing, they could afford it. They often continue to live at home meantime, hoping that the growth in capital could later be converted into a deposit for their own home – in other words, the investment property is an interim hedge into property, not a long term play. 
"Some are also teaming up with friends to jointly purchase an investment, so spreading the costs. In fact, about one third who purchased were assisted by the Bank of Mum and Dad, and would consider an investment property by accessing their superannuation for property investment purposes, a bad idea in our view." 
"First time buyers are split between looking for a house or a unit (in Sydney more are looking for a unit). A greater proportion (21.5 percent) this time were simply not sure what to buy, or where to buy, a rise from 4 percent in 2013. 
"Putting this together, we conclude that first time buyers are reacting to the current house price boom in logical ways. They are however being infected by the notion that property is about wealth building, rather than somewhere to live. This notion, which served previous generations quite well (once they were on the property escalator), may be tested if interest rates rise later, or property prices fall from their current illogical stratospheric levels," he said.
<a href="/images/2016/03/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-11%20at%202.15.17%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-11%20at%202.15.17%20PM.png" alt="">
 
<a href="/images/2016/03/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-11%20at%202.13.27%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-11%20at%202.13.27%20PM.png" alt=""> 
For more information, <a href="https://www.digitalfinanceanalytics.com/blog/latest-dfa-household-survey/" target="_blank">click here</a>. 
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Strong first time buyer investor appetite: DFA's Martin North

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Homes in the Sydney suburbs of Hunters Hill, Canada Bay and Ku-ring-gai are the top council areas with the most valuable real estate assets, according to a new report by Aussie Home Loans and CoreLogic RP Data.
The report found homes in Hunters Hill have an average equity level of 72.3 percent or $878,481, then Canada Bay at 70.2 percent and Ku-ring-gai with 69.2 percent.
Mortgaged homes across NSW have an average of 56.6 percent equity or $358,763.
Aussie executive chairman John Symond said the data confirms that NSW property has been a great wealth creator for owners, compared with other asset classes and property in other states across Australia.
“I believe the best investment both for security and lifestyle is still real estate and I see no reason why this will change over the next decade, especially in view of the lower interest rate climate, lack of housing supply and continuing population growth”, said.
"Fast growing Sydney council areas dominate the survey as property prices have risen at a compounding rate of 8.3 per cent over the last 20 years. 
<a href="/images/2016/03/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-10%20at%204.47.59%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-10%20at%204.47.59%20PM.png" alt="">
Councils in the Upper Hunter Valley had the lowest average home equity within New South Wales, especially Muswellbrook and Singleton.
CoreLogic RP Data research director Tim Lawless said Sydney is leading the state in home values as the population grows in the city, while many regional centres are facing neutral or falling population levels.
“The figures show that areas close to Sydney’s CBD have generally performed better as the population becomes more compressed with more medium to high density dwellings”, he said.
Average level of home equity – state by state percentages and dollar values
<a href="/images/2016/03/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-10%20at%204.45.19%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-10%20at%204.45.19%20PM.png" alt="">
Download the free <a href="https://www.aussie.com.au/home-loans/property-reports/home-equity" target="_blank">Aussie/CoreLogic Housing Equity Report here</a> or visit aussie.com.au. 
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Sydney's Hunter's Hill, Canada Bay lead councils with most valuable real estate

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A drop in the number of home loans taken in January and a big fall in the average loan size taken by first home buyers given falling or easing house prices highlights the prospect of greater home loan affordability in 2016, according to the head of banking business act., Amanda Watt. 
Over the month of January, the value of new home loans taken by property buyers dropped 3.4% to $31.9 billion, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The value of home loans for owner occupiers dived 4.3% to $20.5 billion in January from December while the value of home loans taken by investors also fell by 1.6% to $11.4 billion as buyers withdrew from the property market. 
Reflecting greater home loan affordability, the average loan size for first home buyers fell by $9,300 to $338,800 between December and January. The average loan size for all owner occupied housing commitments fell by $5,400 to $372,400 for the same period. The overall number of home loans taken by owner occupiers in January plunged 3.9% to 55,786. 
“While January is traditionally a slower month, these are still positive signals. Home buyers will welcome any drop in funds needed to buy their first home or make a property investment and the latest housing finance data highlights that buyers borrowed almost $10,000 less to buy their first home in January,” said Watt. 
“While the number of first home buyer commitments as a percentage of total owner occupied housing finance commitments was unchanged at 15.1%, the good news is that growth in house prices has slowed in some cities while prices have dropped elsewhere, so people are needing to borrow less to buy,” said Watt.  
Fixed-rate loans, as a proportion of all new home loans, rose to 13.6% in January from 12.9% in December, as borrowers took advantage of low fixed rates, which have in some cases fallen below variable home loan rates due to downward pressure on wholesale market interest rates. 
act. is an innovative banking service that redirects profits back into social projects. For each product act. has, including home loans, act.allocates ‘impact dollars’ – real dollars taken from the profit it earns – and it gives them back to its customers, who can then donate to a community-focused project of their choice listed on letsact.com.au. 
act. recently won Money magazine’s 2016 Best of the Best award for Best Innovative Banking Product. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Positive signals in January lending: act

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Over the coming months, rental rates could begin to fall on an annual basis due to new supply in the market, going by the latest release of the monthly CoreLogic RP Data Rent Review results for February.
“With construction activity set to peak over the next 24 months, and with many new properties still to settle, there is a real possibility that rental rates will fall over the coming months," said research analyst Cameron Kusher.
“Based on our expectations, landlords have little scope to lift rental rates while for renters, it potentially means more surety in securing accommodation and the potential to upgrade into a higher level of accommodation for a similar cost.”
He said the cause of the current slowdown in rental growth was falling wages, excess rental supply in certain areas and lower rates of population growth and population mobility which was hurting demand for rental accommodation.
Here are the February findings:
Capital city rental rates continue to record no change over the year
Weekly rents across the combined capital city measure increased 0.3% in February, however, rents were unchanged over the past 12 months 
Rental rates have increased over the year in Sydney (+1.5%), Melbourne (+2.2%) and Canberra (+1.6%) and are unchanged in Hobart.
Rents have fallen over the year in Brisbane (-0.7%), Adelaide (-0.4%), Perth (-8.4%) and Darwin (-13.3%).
Currently, combined capital city rental rates are $488/week for houses and $467/week for units.
CoreLogic RP Data analysis shows rents across the combined capitals rose by 0.3% in February 2016. Rental rates increased over the month in all capital cities except for Perth and Darwin.
Results Summary:
Dwelling rental rates across the combined capital cities have not moved and continue to sit at now $485 per week for the past year; at the same time last year rental rates had increased by 1.7% highlighting that the slowdown in rental conditions has been quite sharp over the year.
Rental rates in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin are currently experiencing some of their largest annual falls on record.
All capital cities are experiencing annual rental changes which are well below their decade average levels.
 
<a href="/images/2016/03/7/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-07%20at%203.26.45%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/7/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-07%20at%203.26.45%20PM.png" alt="">
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Rental growth rates continue to show their weakest performance since 1996: CoreLogic RP Data

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Property sale numbers fell in Brisbane over the past three months, the latest research from Brisbane Cityscope shows. 
The last three months to the beginning of February recorded 16 sales for a total of nearly $428.3 million, with $394.4 million for commercial, $300,000 for commercial strata, $12.9 million for retail, $1.2 million for retail strata and $17.6 million for other.
In comparison, the three months to the beginning of November had 23 sales for a total of $209.9 million, with $131 million for commercial, $700,000 for commercial strata, $53.7 million for retail, $5.7 million for retail strata and $13.5 million for other.
The 12 months leading up to the beginning of February 2016 recorded 74 sales for a total of over $1.93 billion, significantly higher than the same time period a year earlier.
<a href="/images/2016/03/7/Pulse-BNSalesGrid-580x246.gif" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/7/Pulse-BNSalesGrid-580x246.gif" alt="">
The three most significant sales recorded this quarter were:
▪ Mineral House, 41 George Street, was sold by QIC Investments No. 3 Pty Ltd and QIC Infrastructure Management No. 2 Pty Ltd for $159 million. The sale represented an initial yield of 8.77% on an advertised passing income of $13.93 million (net). Chesterton International and Colliers International brokered the deal. Mineral House is a 27-storey office building which was built in 1979.
▪ 313 Adelaide Street was bought for $114 million by Gref Brisbane Pty Ltd on behalf of a German fund managed by Deutsche Asset &amp; Wealth Management. The sale, through CBRE and JLL, represented an initial yield of around 7% on a passing income of $7.98 million.
▪ 201 Charlotte Street was bought for more than $81.5 million by Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited on behalf of Fortius Funds Management Pty Limited and BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited. Chesterton International and Evolution Capital brokered the deal.
<a href="/images/2016/03/7/Pulse-BNSalesChart.gif" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/7/Pulse-BNSalesChart.gif" alt="">
Properties currently listed for sale include:
▪ Unit 3, Qantm House, 138-140 Albert Street – a 369 sqm unit, comprising the entire first floor. For sale with an asking price of $2 million; agent, K2 Private (Stuart Moody).
▪ Unit 1 and unit 2, Northpoint, 239 North Quay – a 153 sqm commercial unit on the ground floor. For sale with an asking price of $2.5 million; agent, Tewksbury Commercial Real Estate (Peter Tewksbury and Darren Lucchese).
▪ Unit 6, 183 North Quay – a 572 sqm commercial unit, comprising the entire fourth floor. For sale with an asking price of $2,300,000; agent, Blocksidge (Christopher Finn and Paul De Luca).
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Brisbane records fewer commercial deals in quarter to Feb, but value up: Cityscope

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The latest doomsday forecasts for Australian real estate call to mind the shameful history of overseas spruikers and local economists in getting it spectacularly wrong on house prices.
There’s nothing new in individuals with ulterior motives (usually seeking publicity for a seminar tour, new business venture or a book launch) getting acres of free mileage by predicting our markets will collapse. The 60 Minutes debacle is merely the latest.
I note that the nation’s worst forecaster of property trends, academic Steve Keen, has publicly admitted recently that he got it “hopelessly wrong” with his price forecasts. It’s about time - Keen famously predicted in 2008 that Australian house prices would fall 40% in 2009. Prices rose that year and in the years since Keen has rehashed his predictions in various guises with different time frames but with the same result – he’s been wrong every time. Now he has written a column for Business Spectator which says: “I was hopelessly wrong on house prices. Ask me how.”
But Keen has lots of company at the bottom when it comes to faulty forecasting, sometimes perhaps for dodgy reasons. 
One of the worst examples was US doomsday specialist Harry S Dent who came to Australian in 2011 for a seminar tour and sought (and received) publicity by predicting our home values would fall 40% in 2012. He advised Sydney owners to “sell their excess real estate”. We all know how well that forecast worked out.
But Dent was back in Australia two years later for another lucrative seminar tour and again went to the media for some free mileage. He said house prices would crash “some time in 2014”, with values falling at least 27% in Sydney and Melbourne. The market made a fool of him again.
Given the state of Australia media, I have no doubt that if Dent shows up again next year, he will make the same style of prediction and will be handed another round of massive national publicity.
Many others have come to our shores and used the Armageddon formula of generating publicity for their venture.
Little-known US spruiker Jorgan Wirsz suddenly became well-known in 2012 by forecasting a “bloodbath” in Australian real estate, with home values tipped to fall 60% in 2013. He also said land values would drop 90%.
Think for a moment what that means. He was suggesting that residential land in Australia would be almost worthless. Nothing remotely like has ever occurred in the history of the world, not even in the worst basket-case economy post-GFC. But Australian media chose to give these ridiculous claims credibility. And of course they were subsequently shown to be nonsense.
There have been many others, including another US spruiker called Jeremy Grantham who claimed in 2010 that the “Australian housing bubble” would burst that year. 
There also have been plenty of local commentators, mostly economists who don’t understand the dynamics of Australian real estate, who have forecast significant declines.
Morgan Stanley’s Gerard Minack said in August 2010 that property was 40% over-valued and the bubble was about to burst.
AMP’s Shane Oliver, who regularly calls it wrong on real estate prices, claimed in 2005 that homes were grossly over-valued and there would be no growth anywhere in Australia for the next decade. Those 10 years have come and gone, and I have to ask: How did that one work out for you, Shane?
Oliver was in the media again in June 2012 claiming that house prices were “over-valued’ and “chronically weak” and were heading for “a sharp fall”. Ooops, again.
Commonwealth Bank chief Ralph Norris said in November 2011 that the sovereign debt crisis in Europe had put Australian house prices at risk.
Prosper Australia claimed in August 2011 that Melbourne was about to experience “a US-style property crash with price falls of 30%”. (Those who suggest Australia must decline because it happened in the US appear to be unaware that US markets dropped for clear reasons, and those circumstances don’t exist in Australia. 
Michael Power of Investec declared in September 2012 that Australian house prices would fall by up to 20% by the end of 2014.
The Herald Sun ran the headline “Prices could fall as higher interest rates bite” based on comments by CommSec’s Craig James. (This notion that rising interest rates means a market crash is quite prevalent, but there is historical evidence to support the idea.)
Citibank economist Josh Williamson said in June 2013 that house prices would peak in March 2014 and fall thereafter. Propell National Valuers put out a media release in June 2014 declaring the end of the Sydney boom and, around the same time, Morgan Stanley analyst Malcolm Wood also called the end for Sydney, saying:” If you’re an investor, you’ve missed the boat.” 
Fringe dweller Leigh van Onselen, who has a lifetime of raging against real estate, stated in February 2012 that the “slow melt” in Australian house prices would continue. 
Another guerilla-style opponent of all things real estate, Kris Sayce, shouted in March 2011 that “the value of your home could fall 61% the minute interest rates start rising”.
The list goes on. And there’s a clear pattern. Since the start of the 21st Century, claims of markets collapsing, bubbles bursting and prices disintegrating have been an almost weekly occurrence. Journalists never seem to tire of doomsday stories.
They’ve all been wrong. And they’ve been wrong for clear reasons. Australia is not in recession, it does not have high unemployment, we don’t have a vast oversupply of dwellings nationwide and our banks don’t lend recklessly. We would need all of those circumstances to fall into alignment, as they did in the US around the time of the GFC, before our property markets would be in danger.
Property Observer would welcome a response from any of those named to give the context on their call.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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Company at the bottom for faulty market forecasters: Terry Ryder

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Clinical nutritionist and wellness coach Jessica Sepel and her husband Dean Steingold, the co-founder of Productify, have quickly sold their Darling Point apartment.
The couple bought the 90 sqm, two bedroom apartment for $923,000 just under two years ago. The couple, who married in late 2015 after meeting in Johannesburg six years ago are off to Los Angeles.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-darling+point-121757090" target="_blank">Ray White Double Bay listing agent Gavin Rubinstein </a>was expecting between $1.2 million and $1.25 million for the sale with the price remaining undisclosed.
The buyer has also remained unconfirmed, however Gavin suggested the property would appeal to first homebuyers, investors and downsizers.
Jessica put her Bachelor of Health (specialising in Nutritional Medicine) to good use and is now a blogger and author and aims to empower clients to make good choices every day.
Dean's company Productify has built a B2b service that specialises in sharing product information between online retailers and their suppliers. 
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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